News
Woodstock & Region

Middlesex OPP mourn death of police dog ‘Diesel’

Middlesex OPP are mourning the loss of a canine comrade that died unexpectedly after a medical emergency Sunday evening.

Diesel, an eight-year-old German Shepherd police dog with the OPP, died at his handler’s home as a result of “unforeseeable medical issues,” police said in a statement Tuesday.

Const. Max Gomez wouldn’t comment on what the exact medical emergency was, but said the loss is being felt by the whole force.

“This is a big loss. Not only for our police service, but also for his handler and the family,” he said.

“That dog would serve in several counties, including Oxford, Elgin and Middlesex. Diesel was well-known to our officers and he will be missed.”

The canine officer started his career in northern Ontario in May 2011. He joined West Region OPP in 2016.

Gomez remembers seeing Diesel at a bike rodeo for school-age children and said the dog was so friendly and gentle around the kids. But Diesel was always ready when it was time to work.

“He knew that when the leash was out and when he got the command, it was time to work,” Gomez said.

“He was a hard worker. There’s a level of respect that the handler and canine have.”

His handler, Const. Chris Halverson, remembers Diesel as a “great partner” and “friend.”

“He was always a hit at public displays and school presentations,” Halverson said in a statement. “Diesel located a lot of good and bad people, all this for a bowl of food and a scratch behind the ear.”

Gomez said Diesel’s death was not work-related and is not affecting the OPP’s canine operations in the region. Though the force is sad about the sudden loss of their canine officer, talks are already underway to find a replacement for the highly trained police dog.

The cost to train an officer and dog team is about $60,000, according to RCMP estimates. Once they’re deployed, healthy police dogs cost forces less than $1,000 each year for food and medical expenses.